One of the refrains that has survived from my first set of psalms written in 1995 with psalm tone and verses from the new Revised Grail Psalter. The choir is in a new location for this Mass, just over my right shoulder in the front area of the upper sanctuary. We have previously been in the back area of the upper sanctuary much closer to the organ.
The music for this piece is found in Audubon Park Psalter – Solemnities, Feasts and Holidays.
God Is Gone UpLast Thursday, it was my pleasure to attend the festival choral Eucharist at St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park where the St. Richard’s Schola under the direction of Dr. Carl MaultsBy gave the premier performance of my composition God Is Gone Up. I was very fortunate to be accompanied by a classmate from Westminster Choir College who blogs about her church visits. You can read her write up about the experience at Some Disagree with Mom. As it seems few churches actually celebrate on Ascension on Thursday in this area, there were several other musicians in attendance, and probably the best compliment I received was when one of the other musicians made a request to purchase copies of the score after the service was over! I want to express my gratitude to Carl for requesting this piece and giving me the opportunity to add another useful composition to my output.
Both the Bel Canto Choir of Gateway High School and the Holy Redeemer School Choir did admirably with the other premier performances last week. I am sad that I was not able to capture audio for the performance of God, Your Golden Doorway Beckons, but hopefully I will be able to post audio or video for the other two pieces sometime soon.
After a three premiers last week, this week ushers in a return of my accompanying and directing responsibilities with the kick off to the summer season of the CFCArts Classical Choir. We are still looking for singers for the Mass in C Minor (K. 427) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Rehearsals will be on Thursday evenings with one concert performance on Friday, August 8, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Winter Park, FL. If you are in the area, I encourage you to come and join the group!
In addition to creating music for people such as the premiers or with people like the Classical Choir, I have been fascinated by the skills necessary to create music on the spot, especially at the organ. For that reason, I started a website a few months ago organimprovisation.com. I am pleased to announce that the site has been greatly expanded and that there is now a lesson handout on how to improvise a French toccata available when you sign up to receive the newsletter. I also just completed a newsletter series on the Four C’s of Improvisation that include a few helpful hints on becoming a better improviser. Even if you believe learning to improvise might be out of your reach, you could check out all the videos or recordings for some inspiration. I believe every musician should be able to improvise and can learn to do so if willing to practice.
One of the events I always look forward to attending is the AGO national convention. This year it will take place in Boston, one of my favorite cities. While there are many different events to attend, you can be sure to find me at the events where improvisation will be the focus. I compiled a list of them here if you will be at the convention and wish to find me.
This year will be the first year that I attend the conference of the Association of Anglican Musicians. Last summer, I was able to attend the RSCM Course in Tulsa, so I am looking forward to attending a conference with more people who run RSCM programs. As an extra bonus, I’ll get to stop by New York City in between the two conferences and play for the Orlando Deanery Choir at St. Thomas. While I would not normally be excited about two weeks on the road, the music making and chance to see many friends make me look forward to this extended trip. If you will be at either of these conferences, I hope we can find each other and at least say hello!
Hoping you have a fun and adventuresome summer!
Glenn
Newsletter Issue 23 – 2014 06 02
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St. Richard’s Schola to sing world premiere of “God Is Gone Up” by Wm. Glenn Osborne.
Ascension Festival Choral Eucharist
Thursday, May 29, 2014, 7PM.
St. Richard’s Episcopal Church
5151 Lake Howell Road
Winter Park, FL 32792
Info: 407-671-4211 or www.strichards.org
Forty days after Easter, St. Richard’s Episcopal Church celebrates the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ with a festival choral Eucharist. Under the leadership of Director of Music/Organist, Dr. Carl MaultsBy, the St. Richard’s Schola will sing the world premiere of composer Wm. Glenn Osborne’s Ascension day anthem for choir and organ “God Is Gone Up.” The occasion marks the second collaboration between Osborne and the Schola. Last fall at the Rollins College Canterbury Club Evensong, the Schola premiered his “To Love Is to Be Breakable.” In 2006, Osborne was commissioned by the Festival Celebration Choir in Albany, NY to compose a piece, “Festival Te Deum,” which premiered in honor of that choir’s 20th anniversary. In 2008, Mr. Osborne arranged pieces for papal liturgies during the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to New York City. The Basilica Choir of the National Shrine, Mary, Queen of the Universe (Orlando) has recorded two of his compositions “Salve Regina” and “God We Would Hear the Angels Sing.”
The mass setting for the Eucharist is by William Mathias.
God is gone up with a merry shout.
Alleluia.
Written on April 29, 2014 for Dr. Carl MaultsBy and the St. Richard’s Schola of St. Richard’s Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Florida, this piece in Baroque style is written for two-part choir. It could be done by women alone, a mixed adult choir, or even a children’s choir. The harmonic language is simple with very few accidentals. The accompaniment is a simple three-part texture that could be played on organ or piano.